Last night Jose Valverde not only made good on his prediction that the Tigers would move past the Yankees in the playoffs but he also joined a select group of relievers.
Throwing the final pitch of a post season series (a minor obsession of mine) is the pinnacle for any closer. But only handful have done it for multiple franchises.
They are...
TUG McGRAWclosed out the 1973 NLCS for the Mets and the 1980 World Series for the Phillies.
GOOSE GOSSAGEclinched the 1978 ALCS and World Series and the 1981 Division Series and ALCS for the Yankees and the 1984 NLCS for the Padres.
DENNIS ECKERSLEYclosed out the 1988 ALCS and 1989 ALCS and World Series for the A's and finished the 1996 Division Series for the Cardinals.
RANDY MYERSfinished the 1990 NLCS and World Series for the Reds and then the 1996 and 1997 Division Series as a member of the Orioles.
ROBB NENclinched the 1997 Division Series for the Marlins and the 2002 Division Series for the Giants.
JOE BOROWSKIfinished the 2003 Division Series with the Cubs and the 2007 Division Series with the Indians.
JOSE VALVERDEclinched the 2007 Division Series for the Diamondbacks and the 2011 Division Series for the Tigers.
That's some pretty cool company for Papa Grande.
I recorded today's episode The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast at my gym. I talked about the Tigers bullpen, the return of Daniel Bard and some of my unorthodox behavior while exercising.
